Jersey City mayor gets support of transit work union as opponent lands backing of local teachers union

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy speaks at the Hudson County Community College's North Hudson Higher Education Center in Union City on Thursday during the Assembly Transportation Committee's special hearing to discuss the state Department of Transportation's plans to close the Pulaski Skyway for two years beginning in 2014. REENA ROSE SIBAYAN/THE JERSEY JOURNAL

Jersey City City Councilman Steve Fulop speaks during the Assembly Transportation Committee's special hearing to discuss the state Department of Transportation's plans to close the Pulaski Skyway for two years beginning in 2014 while at the Hudson County Community College's North Hudson Higher Education Center in Union City on Thursday.REENA ROSE SIBAYAN/THE JERSEY JOURNAL

The two candidates considered front-runners in the Jersey City mayoral race each received endorsements from labor unions this week.

Healy, who is seeking a third full term on May 14, has “set the right course” for the city and possesses an “aggressive plan” for the future, said Ray Greaves, chair of the union.

“Mayor Healy’s leadership is especially impressive given the tactics of his opponents who remind me so much of the obstruction the Tea Party unleashes against President Obama,” Greaves said in a statement from the Healy campaign.

One day earlier, Ward E City Councilman Steve Fulop received the endorsement of American Federation of Teachers Local 1839, a union that represents about 900 teachers and staff at New Jersey City University.

“We look forward to establishing a strong partnership with Steven Fulop and the entire City Council to work towards the enhancement of academic excellence, community outreach, and a stronger more vibrant urban community,” William Calathes, president of the union, said in a statement from Fulop’s campaign.

In recent weeks Fulop has received endorsements from three other labor unions that represent a total of about 162,000 laborers.

Former local basketball star Jerry Walker has also announced his intention to challenge Healy in the May 14 election, when all nine council seats are also up for grabs.